Footwear assemblies with removable scent blocking portions and associated methods of use and manufacture

ABSTRACT

A footwear assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a footwear product, such as a boot, shoe, overshoe, etc., with a scent blocking extension member removably attached to an upper of the footwear product. The extension member can be tightened around the lower leg or ankle of a user to block scent from exiting the inside of the footwear product. The extension member can be made from material that is treated or otherwise configured to block scent (e.g., human scent). The extension member can be removably attached to the footwear product to allow the user to remove the extension member if not required, or to wash the extension member separate from the footwear product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional US patent application that claimspriority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/175,248, titled FOOTWEAR ASSEMBLIES WITH REMOVABLE SCENT BLOCKINGPORTIONS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE, filed May 4,2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed generally to footwear assemblies withscent blocking features.

BACKGROUND

Hunting equipment and accessories are carefully designed to provide thehunters with the best opportunity for success. Camouflage has been usedextensively to provide the hunters with an advantage by visuallyblending into the environment while hunting. While animals can detect ahunter or other humans in the area visually, the animals often detectthe humans with a keen sense of hearing and/or smell. Humans have ascent that can be detected by an animal even when the human is notvisual or audibly detectable. Accordingly, hunters or other peopletrying to get close to animals in the wild often employ varioustechniques to block or mask their human scent from detection from theanimals.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to footwearassemblies including a scent blocking portion removably attached to theupper of a footwear product. A footwear assembly configured inaccordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a footwearproduct, such as a boot, shoe, overshoe, etc., with a scent blockingextension member removably attached to an upper of the footwear product.The extension member can be tightened around the lower leg or ankle of auser to block scent from exiting the inside of the footwear product. Theextension member can be made from material that is treated or otherwiseconfigured to block scent (e.g., human scent). Moreover, the extensionmember can be removably attached to the footwear product to allow theuser to remove the extension member if not required, or to wash theextension member separate from the footwear product.

In another embodiment provides a footwear assembly comprising an upperhaving an interior area configured to contain the human scent when thefootwear assembly worn by the user. The upper is constructed of one ormore materials substantially impervious to passage of the human scenttherethrough. The upper has an open top portion that provides accessinto the interior area. The top portion has an inner layer and an outerlayer. The inner layer has a first connector thereon. The outer layer ismoveable between unfolded and folded positions. In the unfoldedposition, the outer layer covers the inner layer. In the foldedposition, a portion of the outer layer is folded over onto itself andaway from the inner layer to uncover and expose the inner layer and thefirst connector on the inner layer. An extension member is coupled tothe top portion of the upper. The extension member is a generallytubular member with a lower portion configured to at least partiallyoverlap and removeably connect to the inner layer. The extension memberhas a second connector that connects to the first connector to securelyattach the extension member to the upper. The outer layer is movable tothe unfolded position when the extension member is connected to theinner layer to cover the intersection between the extension member andthe upper. The extension member is made of one or more materialssubstantially impervious to the human scent from passing therethrough.The extension member has a flexible upper edge portion that has anopening that extends around the lower leg when the wearer is wearing thefootwear assembly. The extension member has a closure member coupled tothe flexible upper edge portion and is adjustable to change the size ofthe opening so the flexible upper edge portion sealably engages thelower leg of the wearer and substantially blocks the human scent in theinterior area of the upper from escaping between the extension memberand the lower leg through the opening.

In another embodiment, a footwear assembly is provided that comprisingan upper having an interior area configured to contain the human scentof a wearer when the footwear assembly worn. The upper has a top portionthat provides access into the interior area. The top portion has firstconnectors thereon. The top portion has a first layer and a secondlayer. The second layer is moveable between a first position wherein thesecond layer covers the first layer, and a second position wherein atleast a portion of the second outer layer is positioned away from thefirst layer to uncover and expose the first connector. A scent blockingmember is attached to the upper. The scent blocking member has a lowerportion removeably connected to at least one of the first and secondlayers. The scent blocking member has a second connector engaging thefirst connector to securely retain the scent blocking member on theupper. The scent blocking member is made of one or more materials thatsubstantially blocks the human scent from passing therethrough. Thescent blocking member has a engaging portion defining an opening thatextends around the lower leg when the wearer is wearing the footwearassembly. The scent blocking member has a closure member coupled to theengaging portion and that is adjustable to change the size of theopening so the engaging portion sealably engages the lower leg of thewearer and substantially blocks the human scent in the interior area ofthe upper from escaping from the footwear assembly between the extensionmember and the lower leg through the opening.

In yet another embodiment, a hunting boot is provided that comprises arubber outsole, and a neoprene and vulcanized rubber upper connected tothe rubber outsole. The upper is being substantially impervious topassage of the human scent therethrough. The upper has an interior areaconfigured to contain the human scent when the footwear assembly worn bythe user. The upper has a top portion that provides access into theinterior area. The upper has an open top portion that provides accessinto the interior area. The top portion having with an inner layer andan outer layer. The inner layer has a first connector thereon. The outerlayer is moveable between an unfolded position wherein the outer layercovers the inner layer, and a folded position wherein a portion of theouter layer is folded over onto itself and away from the inner layer touncover and expose the inner layer and the first connector on the innerlayer.

A scent blocking member is to the top portion of the upper. The scentblocking member is a generally tubular member with a lower portionconfigured to at least partially overlap and removeably connect to theinner layer so the lower portion of the scent blocking member ispositioned between the inner and outer layers when the outer layer is inthe unfolded position. The scent blocking member has a second connectorthat connects to the first connector to securely attach the scentblocking member to the upper. The outer layer of the upper is movable tothe unfolded position when the scent blocking member is connected to theinner layer to cover an intersection between scent blocking member andthe upper. The scent blocking member includes a material substantiallyimpervious to the human scent from passing therethrough. The scentblocking member has a flexible upper edge portion that has an openingthat extends around the lower leg when the wearer is wearing thefootwear assembly. The scent blocking member has a closure membercoupled to the flexible upper edge portion and is adjustable to changethe size of the opening so the flexible upper edge portion sealablyengages the lower leg of the wearer and substantially contains the humanscent in the interior area of the upper and substantially prevents thehuman scent from escaping from the interior area between the scentblocking member and the lower leg through the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a rear view of a footwear assemblyconfigured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded side view of the footwear assembly ofFIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a footwear assembly configured in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4I are a series of photographs illustrating several features ofa footwear assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Footwear assemblies with removable scent blocking portions andassociated methods for using and making such assemblies and devices aredescribed in detail herein in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Certain details are set forth in the following descriptionand Figures to provide a thorough and enabling description of variousembodiments of the disclosure. Other details describing well-knownstructures and components often associated with footwear assemblies andmethods of forming such assemblies, however, are not set forth below toavoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of various embodiments ofthe disclosure.

Many of the details, dimensions, angles, relative sizes of components,and/or other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative ofparticular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodimentscan have other details, dimensions, angles, sizes, and/or featureswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.Moreover, certain features described with reference to specificembodiments may be combined with other embodiments of the disclosure. Inaddition, further embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced withoutseveral of the details described below, while still other embodiments ofthe disclosure may be practiced with additional details and/or features.

FIG. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a rear view of a footwear assembly100 (“assembly 100”) configured in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B together, the illustratedassembly 100 includes a footwear product or boot 102 configured to blockhuman scent from exiting otherwise escaping from the boot 102. In theillustrated embodiment, the boot 102 is a hunting boot. As will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, however, the footwearproduct or boot 102 can include any article of footwear (e.g., a shoe,overshoe, etc.) and is not limited to the illustrated embodiment or anyspecific type of footwear. The boot 102 includes a lower portion 104with a sole portion 106 configured for walking in different types ofterrain. The boot 102 also includes an upper 108 extending from thelower portion 104. The upper 108 includes a reversible portion or cuff110 that can be folded toward the upper 108 as explained below withreference to FIG. 2. In certain embodiments, the upper 108 and the lowerportion 104 can be made from rubber, such as neoprene and vulcanizedrubber that blocks or otherwise prevents human scent from passingthrough the body of the boot 102. In other embodiments, the upper 108and/or the lower portion 104 can be made from other materials suitablefor footwear assemblies used for hunting or other applications. In theillustrated embodiment, the boot 102 can be similar to an Alpha® stylerubber boot available from LaCrosse Footwear, Inc., 17634 NE AirportWay, Portland Oreg. 97230.

According to another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the assembly100 also includes a scent blocking gator or extension member 120extending from the upper 108 of the boot 102. The extension member 120is made from a flexible fabric, cloth, or similar material that can atleast partially conform to a user's leg. The material of the extensionmember 120 is also configured to block human scent from exiting the boot102 and/or the extension members. For example, in certain embodimentsthe extension member 120 is impregnated with or otherwise provided witha scent blocking or scent controlling materials and/or chemicals (e.g.,charcoal). The extension member 120 includes a tightening member 124that can be used to cinch or tighten the extension member 120 around auser's leg. For example, the tightening member 124 can be a strap,drawstring, an elastic cord, such as a bungee cord, or other closuredevice near the top of the extension member 120. In the illustratedembodiment, the tightening member is positioned in a sleeve 122 formedby a stitched portion 121 near the top of the extension member to retainthe tightening member in a desired location. The tightening member 124also passes through a locking member 126 so that a user can tighten andthen lock or retain the tightening member 124 around the user's leg. Inthis manner, the assembly 100 includes a durable boot 102 and theextension member 120 at least partially prevents any human scent fromexiting the footwear assembly 100. In one embodiment, the rubber boot102 blocks scent and is waterproof and otherwise durable for variouswalking conditions, such as hunting in wet or rough conditions. Theextension portion 120 at the top of the boot forms an enclosure aroundand against the user's legs (e.g. against the user's leg or a pant legor other clothing worn over the leg) thereby containing the wearer'shuman scent and substantially preventing or blocking the scent fromexiting the foot assembly and extension portion.

Another feature of the illustrated assembly 100 is that the extensionmember 120 removably attaches to the boot's upper 108 to allow a user toeasily remove and wash the extension member 120 separate from the boot102. FIG. 2, for example, is an exploded side view of the assembly 100of FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in FIG. 2, the cuff 110 can be folded inthe direction of arrow 215 towards the boot's upper 108. Folding downthe cuff 110 exposes an inner layer 212 of the boot 102 extending fromthe boot's upper 108. Although not shown in the Figures, the inner layer212 can line the interior of the boot 102. In certain embodiments, theinner layer 212 is made from neoprene or other rubberized foam material.The inner layer 212 can be lined or unlined. The boot 102 also has anouter rubber portion of the boot 102 that can be vulcanized or otherwiseattached to the neoprene inner layer 212.

The boots upper 108 includes first fasteners 214 (e.g., buttons, snaps,zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.) that can be removably attachedto corresponding second fasteners 228 (e.g., buttons, snaps, zippers,hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.) on the extension member 120. In theillustration, the fasteners 214 are attached to the top area of theinner layer 212 of the boots upper adjacent to the cuff 110. In theillustrated embodiment, the cuff 110 is configured to be positioned in aflat arrangement or position roughly parallel to the top area of theboot's inner layer so the top area of the inner layer (and the firstfastener thereon) is substantially covered by the cuff. The cuff can befolded down to expose the top area of the boot's inner layer, therebyexposing the fasteners. When the cuff is in the folded-down position andthe first fasteners 214 are attached to the corresponding secondfasteners 228, the cuff 110 can be rolled or folded back up to the coverthe inner layer's top area (i.e., in a flat position) shown in FIGS. 1Aand 1B. In this manner, the cuff 110 at least partially covers thebottom portion of the extension member 120 and the second fasteners 228to prevent the bottom edge of the extension member 120 from snagging andunintentionally unfastening the second fasteners 228. Moreover, althoughthe illustrated embodiment shows the first fasteners 214 carried by theinner layer 212, in other embodiments the cuff 110 can carry the firstfasteners 214.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a footwear assembly 300 (“assembly300”) configured in accordance with another embodiment of thedisclosure. The illustrated assembly 300 includes several features thatare generally similar in structure and function to correspondingfeatures of the assembly 100 described above with reference to FIGS.1A-2. For example, the assembly 300 includes a boot 302 having a lowerportion 304, and an extension member 320 extending from an upper 308. Inthe illustrated embodiment, however, the exterior surfaces of the boot302 and the extension member 320 are at least partially covered withpatterns. The boot 302, for example, includes patterned portions 330that can have designs suitable for specific applications. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, the patterned portions 330 can havea camouflage pattern to resemble or blend with foliage or other selectedenvironment. In other embodiments, however, the patterned portions 330can have other designs including, for example, camouflage. Moreover, asshown on the extension portion 320, portions of the assembly 300 can beshaded in a solid pattern 332. By way of example, portions of theassembly 300 can be shaded in dark green for use in a forest, in blackfor use at night, in tan for use in the desert, etc. In addition to thevisual design patterns, the boot 302 and/or the extension member 320 canalso include textured surfaces. For example, the patterned portions 330on the boot can have a bark-like texture in addition to the visualpattern.

According to another feature of the illustrated embodiment, the boot 302has a first height h₁ and the extension member 320 has a second heighth₂ projecting from the top of the boot 102. In one embodiment the firstheight h₁ can be at least approximately 14 inches, and the second heighth₂ can be at least approximately 4 inches. In other embodiments,however, the first height h₁ can be greater than or less than 14 inches,and the second height h₂ can be greater than or less than 4 inches.

FIGS. 4A-4I are a series of photographs illustrating several features ofa footwear assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. More specifically, FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views, FIG. 4Cis a front view, FIG. 4D is a rear view, and FIG. 4E is a top view of afootwear assembly including a rubber boot with a neoprene inner layerthat is attached to a scent blocking gator or extension member. FIGS. 4Fand 4G are exploded side views of the assembly illustrating theextension member detached from the boot. In FIG. 4F, the rubber cuff ofthe boot is folded down to expose the fasteners carried by the innerlayer of the boot. FIGS. 4H and 4I are side views of the scent blockingfabric gator or extension member. In FIG. 41, a portion of the extensionmember is rolled or folded up to expose the fasteners carried by theextension member and that correspond to the fasteners shown in FIG. 4F.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thespirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, although many of theFigures described above illustrate a rubber boot with a fabric extensionmember, in other footwear assemblies portions of the boot can be fabricor other materials, and portions of the extension member can be rubberor other materials. Further, while various advantages associated withcertain embodiments of the disclosure have been described above in thecontext of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit suchadvantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit suchadvantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover,features described with reference to certain embodiments may be combinedwith other embodiments of the disclosure.

1. A footwear assembly wearable by a wearer having a lower leg, andhaving a human scent, comprising: an upper having an interior areaconfigured to contain at least a portion of the wearer's lower leg andthe human scent when the footwear assembly worn by the user, wherein theupper is constructed of one or more materials substantially imperviousto passage of the human scent therethrough when the wearer is wearingthe footwear assembly, the upper having an open top portion thatprovides access into the interior area, the top portion having with aninner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer having a first connectorthereon, the outer layer being moveable between an unfolded positionwherein the outer layer covers the inner layer, and a folded positionwherein a portion of the outer layer is folded over onto itself and awayfrom the inner layer to uncover and expose the inner layer and the firstconnector on the inner layer; an extension member coupled to the topportion of the upper, the extension member being a generally tubularmember with a lower portion configured to at least partially overlap andremoveably connect to the inner layer, the extension member having asecond connector that connects to the first connector to securely attachthe extension member to the upper, the outer layer of the upper beingmovable to the unfolded position when the extension member is connectedto the inner layer to cover an intersection extension member and theupper, the extension member being made of one or more materialssubstantially impervious to the human scent from passing therethrough,the extension member having a flexible upper edge portion that has anopening that extends around the lower leg when the wearer is wearing thefootwear assembly, the extension member having a closure member coupledto the flexible upper edge portion and being adjustable to change thesize of the opening so the flexible upper edge portion sealably engagesthe lower leg of the wearer and substantially blocks the human scent inthe interior area of the upper from escaping between the extensionmember and the lower leg through the opening.
 2. The footwear assemblyof claim 1 wherein extension member is a flexible material impregnatedwith a scent blocking additive.
 3. The footwear assembly of claim 1wherein the outer layer is made of a first material substantiallyimpervious to human scent passing therethrough, and the inner layer ismade of a second material different than the first material.
 4. Thefootwear assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper has a body portionintegrally connected to the inner and outer layers, the body portion ismade of a neoprene material with a layer of vulcanized rubber on theneoprene and forming an outer surface of the upper.
 5. The footwearassembly of claim 1 wherein the upper has a body portion integrallyconnected to the inner and outer layers, the body portion and the outerlayer have an exterior surface formed by a vulcanized rubber material.6. The footwear assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and secondconnectors are at least one of mating snaps, buttons, zippers, andhook-and-loop fasteners.
 7. The footwear assembly of claim 1 wherein theflexible upper edge portion of the extension member includes a sleeveand the closure member is at least partially disposed in the sleeve. 8.The footwear assembly of claim 1 wherein the closure member is at leastone of a strap, drawstring, and elastic cord.
 9. The footwear assemblyof claim 1 wherein the closure member is a tightening member configureto cinch the extension member against the wearer's lower leg.
 10. Thefootwear assembly of claim 1 wherein extension member further comprisesa locking member connected to the closure member and configuredreleasably retain the closure member and the flexible upper edge portionin sealable engagement with the wearer's lower leg.
 11. The footwearassembly of claim 1 wherein the upper portion and the extension memberare substantially waterproof.
 12. A footwear assembly wearable by awearer having a lower leg and having a human scent, comprising: an upperhaving an interior area configured to contain the human scent when thefootwear assembly worn by the wearer, the upper having a top portionthat provides access into the interior area, the top portion havingfirst connectors thereon, the top portion having a first layer and asecond layer, the second layer being moveable between a first positionwherein the second layer covers the first layer, and a second positionwherein at least a portion of the second outer layer is positioned awayfrom the first layer to uncover and expose the first connector; a scentblocking member attached to the upper, the scent blocking member havinga lower portion removeably connected to at least one of the first andsecond layers the scent blocking member having a second connectorengaging the first connector to securely retain the scent blockingmember on the upper, the scent blocking member being made of one or morematerials that substantially blocks the human scent from passingtherethrough, the scent blocking member having a engaging portiondefining an opening that extends around the lower leg when the wearer iswearing the footwear assembly, the scent blocking member having aclosure member coupled to the engaging portion and being adjustable tochange the size of the opening so the engaging portion sealably engagesthe lower leg of the wearer and substantially blocks the human scent inthe interior area of the upper from escaping from the footwear assemblybetween the extension member and the lower leg through the opening. 13.The footwear assembly of claim 12 wherein scent blocking member is aflexible material impregnated with a scent blocking additive.
 14. Thefootwear assembly of claim 12 wherein the second layer is made of afirst material substantially impervious to human scent passingtherethrough, and the first layer is made of a second material differentthan the first material.
 15. The footwear assembly of claim 12 whereinthe upper has a body portion integrally connected to the first andsecond layers, the body portion is made of a neoprene material with alayer of vulcanized rubber on the neoprene and forming and outer surfaceof the upper.
 16. The footwear assembly of claim 12 wherein the upperhas a body portion integrally connected to the first and second layers,the body portion and the second layer have an exterior surface formed bya vulcanize rubber material.
 17. The footwear assembly of claim 12wherein the first and second connectors are at least one of matingsnaps, buttons, zippers, and hook-and-loop fasteners.
 18. The footwearassembly of claim 12 wherein the engaging portion of the scent blockingmember includes a sleeve and the closure member is at least partiallydisposed in the sleeve.
 19. The footwear assembly of claim 12 whereinthe closure member is at least one of a strap, drawstring, and elasticcord.
 20. The footwear assembly of claim 12 wherein scent blockingmember further comprises a locking member connected to the closuremember and configured releasably retain the closure member and theengaging portion in sealable engagement with the wearer's lower leg. 21.The footwear assembly of claim 12 wherein the upper portion and theextension member are substantially waterproof.
 22. A hunting bootwearable by a wearer having lower leg and a human scent, comprising: Arubber outsole; A neoprene and vulcanized rubber upper connected to therubber outsole and being substantially impervious to passage of thehuman scent therethrough, the upper having an interior area configuredto contain the human scent when the footwear assembly worn by the user,the upper having a top portion that provides access into the interiorarea, the upper having an open top portion that provides access into theinterior area, the top portion having with an inner layer and an outerlayer, the inner layer having a first connector thereon, the outer layerbeing moveable between an unfolded position wherein the outer layercovers the inner layer, and a folded position wherein a portion of theouter layer is folded over onto itself and away from the inner layer touncover and expose the inner layer and the first connector on the innerlayer; a scent blocking member coupled to the top portion of the upper,the scent blocking member being a generally tubular member with a lowerportion configured to at least partially overlap and removeably connectto the inner layer so the lower portion of the scent blocking member ispositioned between the inner and outer layers when the outer layer is inthe unfolded position, the scent blocking member having a secondconnector that connects to the first connector to securely attach thescent blocking member to the upper, the outer layer of the upper beingmovable to the unfolded position when the scent blocking member isconnected to the inner layer to cover an intersection scent blockingmember and the upper, the scent blocking member including a materialsubstantially impervious to the human scent from passing therethrough,the scent blocking member having a flexible upper edge portion that hasan opening that extends around the lower leg when the wearer is wearingthe footwear assembly, the scent blocking member having a closure membercoupled to the flexible upper edge portion and being adjustable tochange the size of the opening so the flexible upper edge portionsealably engages the lower leg of the wearer and substantially containsthe human scent in the interior area of the upper and substantiallyprevents the human scent from escaping from the interior area betweenthe scent blocking member and the lower leg through the opening.
 23. Thehunting boot of claim 22 wherein scent blocking member is a flexiblematerial impregnated with a scent blocking additive.
 24. The huntingboot of claim 22 wherein the second layer is made of a first materialsubstantially impervious to human scent passing therethrough, and thefirst layer is made of a second material different than the firstmaterial.
 25. The hunting boot of claim 22 wherein the upper has a bodyportion integrally connected to the first and second layers, the bodyportion is made of a neoprene material with a layer of vulcanized rubberon the neoprene and forming and outer surface of the upper.
 26. Thehunting boot of claim 22 wherein the upper has a body portion integrallyconnected to the first and second layers, the body portion and thesecond layer have an exterior surface formed by a vulcanize rubbermaterial.
 27. The hunting boot of claim 22 wherein the first and secondconnectors are at least one of mating snaps, buttons, zippers, andhook-and-loop fasteners.
 28. The hunting boot of claim 22 wherein theengaging portion of the scent blocking member includes a sleeve and theclosure member is at least partially disposed in the sleeve.
 29. Thehunting boot of claim 22 wherein the closure member is at least one of astrap, drawstring, and elastic cord.
 30. The hunting boot of claim 22wherein scent blocking member further comprises a locking memberconnected to the closure member and configured releasably retain theclosure member and the engaging portion in sealable engagement with thewearer's lower leg.
 31. The hunting boot of claim 22 wherein the upperportion and the extension member are substantially waterproof.